CBC (includes Differential and Platelets) - *Add-on Peripheral Blood Smear Review
Test Code: 13808 to be added to 6399
CPT Code(s): 85008 *CPT Code is subject to a Medicare Limited Coverage Policy and may require a signed ABN when ordering.
Clinical Significance: Peripheral Blood Smear Review - To supplement client-performed CBC testing with verification of abnormal results and assessment of morphology to aid in the diagnosis of hematological disorders. Intended for moderate complexity or waived testing sites that require additional review for instrumentation flagging. Client must supply in-office CBC test results from the same day of service as the order for review, in addition to either 2 glass slides or EDTA (lavender-top) tube. If no client-performed CBC results are received, test will be cancelled.
The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
Includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet Count, MPV and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)
*If abnormal cells are noted on a manual review of the peripheral blood smear or if the automated differential information meets specific criteria, a full manual differential will be performed.
Methodology: Microscopic Examination
Supply: 2 glass microscope slides or Supply #T59 EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Preferred Specimen: 2 glass microscope slide-peripheral smears submitted in slide holder and client provided (in-house) CBC results
Alternate Specimen: 4.5 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube and client provided (in-house) CBC results
Minimum Volume: 1 slide • 1 mL whole blood
Transport Container: Slide in slide holder or EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
Specimen Stability:
- Slide
- Room temperature: Indefinite
- Refrigerated: Indefinite
- Frozen: Unacceptable
- Whole Blood
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 48 hours
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Rejection Criteria:
- Received frozen
- Hemolysis
- Clotted
- No CBC results and clinical history
Reference
1. Beckman AK, Ng VL, Jaye DL, et al. Clinician-ordered peripheral blood smears have low reimbursement and variable clinical value: a three-institution study, with suggestions for operational efficiency. Diagn Pathol. 2020;15(1):112. doi:10.1186/s13000-020-01033-8
2. Kurt-Mangold ME, Gieme CV, Krasowski MD, Rosenthal NS. Clinical Utility of Ordered Pathology Blood Smear Reviews - an Overused Resource? Clin Lab. 2018;64(1):99-104. doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2017.170703
3. Radke, T. Improving utilization of pathologist reviewed blood films. Today's Clinical Lab. (2024-03-05). Accessed Aug. 8, 2024. https://www.clinicallab.com/improving- utilization-of-pathologist-reviewed-blood-films-27782.
For additional supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Service at (800) 891-2917, option 2.
The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed.